Water blocks (cold plates) are the most efficient method of heat removal. They are often 4-5 times more efficient compared to a standard air cooled heat sink and fan.

The principle is simple: you provide a source of cool liquid (typically water, or ethylene glycol/wwater, or Fluorinert) to the inlet of the water block. The liquid travels back and forth through the various chambers of the water block thereby absorbing the heat from the TECs or electronics. The warmer liquid then exits the water block.

The source of the liquid can be;

Building (tap) water - This water is usually cooler than the ambient air temperature. The warmer exiting water can be sent to a drain or re-used in a number of ways.

Chiller Liquid - A pre-chilled Liquid (typically alcohol, water/glycol, oil, or a dielectric fluid such as Fluorinert) from a recirculating chiller passes through the water block and then is returned to the chiller for re-cooling. This source typically is a closed loop sytem.

Well water, lake, or stream water - This water usually requires pre-filtering but can be substantially colder than ambient air temperature, especially during winter months. Exiting water can either be returned to the source or re-used.

Radiator closed loop - a liquid (water, propylene glycol, or a mix of both) enters the water block at approximately ambient air temperatures. The exiting warm liquid then goes to a fan cooled radiator of sufficient size to cool the liquid back down to ambient air temperature. The liquid is then sent back through the water block, This is a closed loop system.

All copper water block Liquid exchanger (compact mini heat sink) to rapidly remove heat from the hot side of peltier TECs, TEGs, CPUs, IGBTs or any device that needs rapid efficient heat removal. Most efficient method of removing heat from high power electronics.

TECs or components can be mounted to one or both sides thereby allowing heat removal from two 15x15mm TECs at the same time.

All aluminum water block Liquid exchanger (compact mini heat sink) to rapidly remove heat from the hot side of peltier TECs, TEGs, CPUs, IGBTs or any device that needs rapid efficient heat removal. Most efficient method of removing heat from high power electronics.

TECs or components can be mounted to one or both sides thereby allowing heat removal from two 25x25mm TECs at the same time.

All copper water block Liquid exchanger (compact miniature cold plate) to rapidly remove heat from the hot side of peltier TECs, TEGs, CPUs, IGBTs or any device that needs rapid efficient heat removal. Most efficient method of removing heat from high power electronics.

TECs or components can be mounted to one or both sides thereby allowing heat removal from two 25x25mm TECs at the same time.

All copper construction allows for parts and components to be soldered to water block for maximum thermal conduction.

All copper water block Liquid exchanger (compact miniature cold plate) to rapidly remove heat from the hot side of peltier TECs, TEGs, CPUs, IGBTs or any device that needs rapid efficient heat removal. Most efficient method of removing heat from high power electronics.

TECs or components can be mounted to one side thereby allowing heat removal.

All copper construction allows for parts and components to be soldered to water block for maximum thermal conduction.

All copper water block cold plate to rapidly remove heat from the hot side of peltier TECs, TEGs, IGBTs, or other electronics. Most efficient method of removing heat from a thermoelectric TEC or TEG. Nickel plated for protection against corrosion.

Components can be mounted toone or both sides thereby allowing heat removal from two 30x30mm heat sources at the same time.

Always use the largest tubing diameter possible. The goal is to maximize the liquid flow through the water block. Larger tube diameters allow a greater flow with reduced friction.

If the water block has a small inlet such as 1/16" NPT, use a larger tubing diameter for the rest of the system and then step the diameter down just before the water block. Step the diameter back up after the water leaves the water block. This keeps the pressure and flow rate maximized.

Keep tubing lengths as short as possible. Unecessary tubing slows the fluid down and creates more pressure loss.

Increasing the pressure will increase the flow rate. For example, a small pump producing only 2 psi may have a flow rate through the water block of 0.5 gpm (gallons per minute). A pump generating 10 psi could increase that flow rate to 1.0 gpm, and building (tap) water at 50 psi could have a flow rate of 3-4 gpm.

If you have a closed loop system, use distilled or deionized water and add about 5% propylene or ethylene glycol (antifreeze) to prevent corrosion. Adding antifreeze will also lower the freezing point if you are chilling the water down into that temperature range. Try not to use any more additives than necessary as they do not carry as much heat as water.

Water has the best heat transfer ability of just about all liquids except for some very toxic and expensive heat transfer fluids. Only use the minimum amount of additives (glycols, corrosion inhibitors etc.) necessary. For example, pure water has a specific heat value of 4180 Joules/Kilogram Kelvin, while ethylene glycol has a value of 2385 J/Kg K.

Bleed all air out of the water system. Trapped air bubbles restrict and slow the water path.